1 – From Laois to South Africa on their motorbikes – how two Portlaoise lads are undertaking the trip of a lifetime
It all began with Ewan McGregor and Charlie Bourman travelling from London to Africa by bike in a docu-series in 2008.
This is a fascinating account of where Portlaoise duo Philip O’Connell and David Seale are now.
2 – Laois senior football team change their management ahead of relegation fight
A Laois senior football club changed their management ahead of Friday’s relegation playoff.
Killeshin have parted company with Christy Bolger and his backroom team.
They have turned internal for their replacement – with current players Cathal Brennan and Arnie Mahon now at the helm.
3 – Controversial finish as Camross hit the last four points to knock out Slieve Bloom
Four late frees from James Cuddy helped Camross edge out their neighbours Slieve Bloom in an entertaining, winner-takes-all clash with their neighbours Slieve Bloom in Trumera.
The one-point win sends Camross through to the quarter-finals and sees Slieve Bloom bow out.
4 – From the Borris Road to a Dublin art gallery owner – the story of Kevin Kavanagh
Commuting from Mountrath to the capital where his eponymous art gallery is a key part of the cultural scene, is “challenging but doable,” says Kevin Kavanagh.
From a well-known Portlaoise family, he was raised at 16 Borris Road. “Growing up, I was more interested in sport – Gaelic football, hurling, athletics – and I also really enjoyed the scouts and Foróige,” he says.
5 – Alan Meredith – the Mountmellick designer seeking to grow his international custom base
While most of designer Alan Meredith’s striking installations and furniture end up in private collection, often outside the country, he has exhibited at Electric Picnic annually since 2012 and is currently putting the final touches to this year’s standout exhibit.
He has also done a project for the Holy Family School, Portlaoise.
His studio – a restored stable, cow house and grain loft – is on the family beef, sheep and tillage farm at The Oak, Mountmellick.
6 – Sadness at death of Albert Fitzgerald, former Managing Director of Midlands 103
The death has occurred of Albert Fitzgerald, the highly-regarded former Managing Director of Midlands 103.
A Cork native, he lived in Tullamore and had been a hugely influential figure in Midlands 103 since he joined the station in 1995.
He was largely credited with turning around the company’s fortunes commercially, driving advertising revenue in the mid 1990s and later as the chief man in the business.
7 – Laois man to the fore as Aidan McAnespies claim first Boston football championship since 2011
Boston Donegal clashed against Aidan McAnespies with the latter coming out on top.
And there was a very familiar face on the winning side as Portarlington’s Robbie Pigott lined out at full back.
8 – New to the Area: Ukrainian family in Portlaoise building a new life and immersing themselves in community endeavours
A Ukrainian family living in Portlaoise has got involved with the local Tidy Towns effort in a bid to give something back to the community.
Olena and Emmanuel Justus and their three children, Liza (12), Mariia (10) and Suzz (6) arrived in Ireland on March 7.
9 – Incredible effort as Laois Vintage Run smashes the €1 million barrier
The wonderful Laois Vintage Run took place on Saturday with an array of classic cars and tractors traversing the county in the glorious August sunshine.
And as a charitable event for Laois Hospice, first set up in the mid 1990s, this weekend saw the fundraising effort go past the €1 million mark since its inception.
A selection of vintage enthusiasts left Treacy’s of The Heath on Saturday morning – travelling around the Slieve Blooms and back again, with an official stop off at the Camross Inn.
10 – Explained: How the knockout stages of the Laois hurling championships are shaping up after the weekend action
The results of last weekend’s games across the various grades of the Laois hurling championships have now made the picture clear in terms of the knockout stages.
